
NOTE.—In the language of Scripture, Babylon bears the radiant title of
"the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency." Isa. 13:19.
Its capital was also called "the golden city." Isa. 14:4.
8.
In what words did Daniel predict the rise of a second world
empire? Dan 2:39, first part.
•
NoTE.—Less than three quarters of a century alter this prophecy was
given, and while Daniel was yet living, the Medo-Persians conquered queenly
Babylon, slew King Belshazzar, and possessed themselves of its treasures and
territory. Under the leadership of such great emperors as Cyrus and Darius,
Persia extended its authority from Ethiopia to India, a territory embracing
one hundred twenty-seven provinces. While greater in extent, Medo-Persia
was "inferior" to Babylon in wealth and grandeur, even as silver is inferior
to gold.
9.
What vast expanse of power was indicated for the "third
kingdom of brass"? Dan. 2:39, last part.
NoTE.—Alexander the Great, the mightiest conqueror of antiquity, over-
whelmed the Persians in three great battles, the final and decisive engagement
occurring at Arbela in 331 B.C. But the mighty Alexander died at an early age,
and his kingdom soon crumbled.
10.
What graphic language foretold the character of the iron
monarchy of Rome? Dan. 2:40.
NoTE.—Employing the very terms and symbols of Scripture, the agnostic
historian, Edward Gibbon, describes the Roman conquest: "The arms of the
republic, sometimes vanquished in battle, always victorious in war, advanced
with rapid steps to the Euphrates, the Danube, the Rhine, and the ocean ;
and the images of gold, or silver, or brass, that might serve to represent the
nations and their kings, were successively broken by the
iron
monarchy of
Rome."—Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, General Obs,ervations,
fol-
lowing chapter 38.
11.
What was foreshadowed by the unnatural mixture of the
iron and clay in the feet and toes? Dan. 2:41, 42.
NoTE.—Between A.D. 351 and 476, Teutonic tribes from Northern Europe
swarmed across the Rhine and Danube, destroyed the Roman Empire, and
laid the foundation for the modern nations of Southern and Western Europe.
Futile Attempt to Re-establish Empire
12.
What great prophetic utterance declared that the shattered
fragments of empire would defy all attempts to cement them to-
gether? Dan. 2:43.
NOTE.—Among the most ambitious, determined, and notable aspirants
to universal empire may be mentioned Charlemagne of the eighth century,
Charles V of the sixteenth, Louis XIV of the seventeenth, Napoleon Bona-
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